Going to take on a huge undertaking in the spring and do my own bodywork and I have alot of it to do.My first question is what thickness do I need for sheetmetal for my:1.Floorboards
2.Body panels

Are they the same thickness and should I use stainless steel??? Thanks for your help!!

 

Oh yeah it's an 88 Civic!!

 

i would use mild steel, like a 18 gauge so its easy to work with, might be a little to thin for floors thought.

 

it would depend on what you are attempting to do.

if you are doing spot rust repair, you want to use metal that is about the same guage (maybe a touch thicker) than stock. too thick will be hard to work, and too thin will be hard to weld w/o blowing holes in it.

if you are trying more extensive rust repair or custom flares and stuff, I would suggest buying sheetmetal that already fits the car, either new panels from the dealer, or cutouts from a salvage yard/guy on this board.

I would not attempt building new floorboards or a complete 1/4 panel from flat steel.

I also will suggest against stainless. unless properly finished, everywhere you weld stainless, it's no longer stainless, and will rust just like normal steel. unless you are going for a certain look I would just use standard cold rolled mild steel.

goodluck

 

first things first ... if you cant weld pretty dam good body work is not something that you should try. fabrication is one thing. body work is an art and if you have no experiance with shaped and thin metals it is extremely difficult. and besides the skills that it requires, you need the equipment. well to do it right at least.... so with that said, what is your plan?

 

also , many of your questions will most likely be better awnsered in the metal fab area...